Commercial Upholsterer Contractor — Crawley, Gatwick and Mid Sussex

A national commercial furniture services business is looking for self-employed Commercial Upholsterers to join its contractor network covering Crawley, Gatwick and Mid Sussex, working on contract and commercial upholstery projects on an ongoing, self-employed basis.

Gatwick Airport and its surrounding hotels make Crawley one of the busiest commercial hospitality areas in the South East, alongside the Manor Royal business district. Horsham, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Reigate add town-centre pubs, restaurants and country hotels.

Area covered: Crawley, Gatwick, Horsham, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Reigate. Work is booked in blocks around Crawley (RH10 1HR), with the occasional project further afield where hotel costs are covered by the client.

This suits an established self-employed upholsterer with their own van, tools and portable sewing machine, who can re-cover commercial seating and cut and machine sew on site, and who would like to increase their income with regular, well-paid commercial days alongside their own customers.

What is on offer

This is not a temporary role. It is ongoing, regular self-employed contract work, and 7 of the 13 contractors we have placed with the client are still working with them today.

• Typical earnings of £40,000 to £60,000 a year, depending on how many days you choose to work
• Competitive day rates, with enhanced rates for certain types of work (rates discussed on application, and negotiable)
• All expenses paid on top of your day rate, including materials and parking
• Ongoing, regular work, planned in blocks so you can plan ahead and fit in your own private work (or work more days for the client)
• Flexible days that fit in between your own jobs and contracts
• Invoices paid within 10 days, usually within 5 to 7 working days
• Mostly local work; on the occasional job further afield, your overnight stay, breakfast and evening meal are covered (always with advance notice)

What you'll be doing

• Commercial and contract upholstery on site across Crawley, Gatwick, Horsham, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Reigate: hospitality seating, fixed seating, booths, banquettes and contract furniture
• Re-covering, repairing and restoring commercial seating, including button back and deep-buttoned pieces
• Cutting and machine sewing covers on site from your own portable sewing machine
• Working to a schedule agreed with the client's operations team and reporting on completed work

What you'll need

• Time-served upholsterer who can re-cover and repair commercial seating: banquettes, booths, fixed seating, chairs and stools
• Ability to cut and machine sew on site, this is essential (an upholsterer who sews, not a machinist only)
• Button back, deep buttoning and fluting experience is a strong advantage
• Your own van, full tool kit and portable sewing machine
• Public liability insurance (minimum £10 million) or willingness to arrange it
• Full UK driving licence and a professional, reliable approach on client sites
• Based within a realistic travel distance of Crawley

Ready to apply?

If you are a self-employed upholsterer around Crawley who can cut and machine sew on site, with your own van, tools and sewing machine, get in touch today.

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Closing date: 10 December 2026

Updated: 10 November 2026

To apply or find out more, contact The Talent Branch on 07792 797476 or carlos@thetalentbranch.com

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